New Delhi, Feb 1 (ANI): Indian Ambassador to China Nirupama Rao has said that the tourism between India and China is all set to develop at an "amazing speed."

With the ending of the year 2007 came a new chapter of the communications between the two countries, Rao said at the closing ceremony of the "China-India year of friendship through tourism-2007."

Shao Qiwei, head of China's National Tourism Administration, said: "The year 2007 is just a beginning. The Sino-India exchanges mechanism will improve further with the promotion of tourism."

Rao further said that cooperation with many Chinese airline companies has helped in the promotion of the tourism interaction between India and China.

"Further connections are needed between cities of the two countries," the Xinhua quoted her, as saying.

"I hope in the near future, India will become the No.1 tourist destination for the Chinese people, and vise versa," Rao added.

Thanks to a series of tourism promotion campaigns last year, over 530,000 tourists travelled between the two countries.

In 2007, a total of 70,000 Chinese tourists visited India, a year-on-year 14 percent increase, and 460,000 Indian tourists came to China, up by 48 percent. (ANI)
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Chennai, Jan.29 (ANI): Located 36 kilometers off Chennai, Muttukadu Boat House is an unusual spot in backwaters for tourists and holidaying families.

Also, Muttukadu is a paradise for anglers since prawns and jelly fish are in abundance here. For those who relish seafood being here could prove to be a memorable experience.

Hundreds of holiday-makers visit Muttukadu Boat House daily to enjoy boat rides. It costs just rupees 50 per person for a three kilometer ride around the vast expanse of water that may be of 45 minutes duration.

Developed by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), Muttukadu Boat House captivates a large number of domestic as well as international tourists and especially the honeymooners visiting South India.

"This particular boat house is really very great and we have enjoyed here a lot. We have never enjoyed before like this anywhere else. In Bangalore, we don't have any such big lake over there but this was a great experience," said Pranamya, a tourist from Bangalore.

The backwaters at Muttukadu are also favourable for a couple of adventure water sports like wind-surfing. Last year, in July, four 8-seater speed boats were inducted here.

The State tourism department TTDC has deployed a fleet of 25 boats that are motor-operated as well as the oaring ones for tourists.

"This is the Muttukudu boat house and it has been an extremely good experience for us. This is the first time that I am actually boating. I want to come back to Chennai only for this," said Vaishnavi, another tourist from Mangalore (Karnataka).

What thrills the visitors the most is the stunning effects caused by a rocking bridge over the backwaters. Every year a windsurfing regatta is organised in Muttukadu in February.

Apart from regular competitions, training camps for passionate water sports lovers are some of the other features that make this place an unforgettable pleasure. (ANI)
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Kohima, Jan.28 (ANI): Blending hues of Naga culture with unity, people of Nagaland celebrated Chüthuni, the premier festival of Mao Naga. It is the festival of purification, invoking God's blessing and merry-making.

Chüthuni, the post harvest festival of Mao Nagas, is described to be an occasion to celebrate success and victory over death and destruction.

Organised by Mao Union of Kohima, the festival is marked with cultural songs, dances, indigenous games, and display of Mao traditional attire at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

The year the fesitval's motto was "Unity, the need of the hour".

A.Daili, the convener of Mao festival, said: "So many people have come for this festival. They belong not only to Kohima town but also different villages and communities and different NGOs. So, we are really enjoying this important occasion. I am sure we will be conducting this festival in future also."

Hundreds of visitors from different parts of the country and abroad attended the festival. The main attraction, however, was Lerü Kaphre, a mock war.

Lokho, a resident of Punanamci Village, said: "Those were the days, when our forefathers used to face the war, today we are facing the war within. We want peace. There is no doubt about it and we have to find it."

"We want that everyone should live in peace just like we once used to or the way we enjoy peace during festival time. That is the importance of such festival," he added.

A fashion show was organized on the ocassion. Various traditional as well as modern costumes and outfits of the Mao tribe were used by models Nagas love their tradition, and they also welcome an element of modernity in their function.

Nelia, one of the visitors, said: "I am really enjoying the celebration of this festival. Everyone is happy to be here."

Nagaland is promoting its cultural heritage to promote tourism in the State. The initiative is paying off as the number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the State have gone up considerably. (ANI)
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Darjeeling, Jan 28 (ANI): The cold wave sweeping north India made a dramatic arrival in Darjeeling covering the entire hill station under thick snow.

As the news spread, domestic and foreign tourists arrived in droves to enjoy the weather.

"Normally, Darjeeling does not witness such a heavy snowfall. But this time snowfall is quite heavy. We are really happy and enjoying," said Losam Sona, a resident.

Cradled in the hills of West Bengal, Darjeeling has always been a favourite destination for tourists because of the snow-capped mountains, including a breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga peak and the pristine beauty of the Himalayas.

Famous world over for its 'Darjeeling Tea', the hill town is the epicentre of country's most celebrated tea-growing district.

Situated at a height of 2,134 meters, Darjeeling is also famous for its 125-year-old railway, a UNESCO world heritage site, that attracts thousands of tourists to the picturesque hill station. (ANI)
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Sydney, Jan.23 (ANI): Three heritage trains in India are among the world's top 25 iconic rail adventures.

According to the US-based Society of International Railway Travelers published the list in a special edition of its magazine to celebrate its 25th anniversary, these Indian trains are the Palace on Wheels, which comprises of 14 fully air-conditioned deluxe saloons, equipped with world class amenities to enhance the pleasure of traveling.

The 14 coaches are named after former Rajput states matching the aesthetics and interiors of the royal past. Each saloon has a mini pantry and a lounge to ensure availability of hot and cold beverage, and refreshments and a place to relax and get together. The train travels between New Delhi and most states of Rajasthan.

The second Indian train to figure on the global list is the Toy Train or The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is a two feett (610 mm) gauge narrow-gauge railway that runs from Siliguri to Darjeeling in West Bengal. The train was built between 1879 and 1881 and the journey is about 86 km long. The elevation level is from about 100 m at Siliguri to about 2,200 m at Darjeeling. It is still powered by a steam engine. A modern diesel engine is used for Darjeeling's mail. Since 1999 the train has been a World Heritage Site as listed by UNESCO.

The third train from India that has made the global list is the Deccan Odysse, a luxury train that travels through the heart of Central India over a period of eight days, and has stopovers in Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Sawantwadi, Goa, Pune, Aurangabad and Nasik.

This train has 21 coaches out of which 11 are passenger cars with four coupes each. There are two presidential suite cars with 2 coupes each car. The train also has a conference car (can be redesigned as dance floor in the night) and two restaurant cars. There is also a lounge/bar car and one surprising addition is a Spa Car. Apart from the above there are generator cars with luggage store and staff car or spare car.

Society of International Railway Travelers president Eleanor Hardy said the 25 trains chosen represented the group's best-loved railway journeys.

"The World's Top 25 Trains are based on our own experience and that of our writers, editors, members and staff. The trains met stringent standards for service, accommodation, scenery, itinerary, off-train experiences and passenger enjoyment," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted her, as saying.

The world's top 25 trains as named by the Society of International Railway Travellers:

North America:
- Canadian (Canada)
- Royal Canadian Pacific (Canada)
- Canadian Rockies Steam Express (Canada)
- Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
- GrandLuxe Express (US)
- Sierra Madre Express (Mexico)

South America:
- Andean Explorer (Peru)
- Hiram Bingham (Peru)

Africa:
- Blue Train (South Africa)
- Pride of Africa (Rovos Rail) (South Africa)

Asia/Indian Subcontinent:
- Palace on Wheels (India)
- Eastern & Oriental Express (SE Asia)
- Shangri-La Express (China/Tibet)
- Toy Train (India)
- Deccan Odyssey (India)

Europe:
- Danube Express (Central Europe, Turkey)
- Al Andalus Express (Spain)
- El Transcantabrico (Spain)
- Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (Russia)
- Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
- Glacier Express (Switzerland)
- Royal Scotsman (Scotland)

Australia:
- The Ghan
- The Indian Pacific
- The Sunlander (ANI)
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Labels: Train

Paris, Jan 22 (ANI): The famous seat in front of the epitome of love -
the Taj Mahal - would have been be lucky to have visiting French
President Nicolas Sarkozy being seated with his new lady love, Carla
Bruni, but according to reports the latter has announced that she
would not be accompanying Sarkozy as she is not married to him.

Earlier, the Indian media was in a tizzy about how Carla Bruni would
be accomodated at the official level, given that she has already
travelled with Sarkozy to Egypt and created quite a buzz.

Carla Bruni would have been the cynosure of attention at the Republic
Day parade, where the 'salute' was to be taken by another lady for the
first time in the history of Indian Republic, President of India
Pratibha Devi Singh Patil.

It was also being speculated that the former supermodel, an Italian,
had she accompanied President Sarkozy, would have animatedly
interacted with our own Sonia Gandhi, an Italian herself, both before
and during the Republic Day celebrations.

The fact that rumours were doing the rounds that she would be
accompanying Sarkozy to New Delhi as his girlfriend later this week,
had the Indian protocol anxiously waiting for some word from the
French Government and the Elysee (the official residence of the French
President) about what kind of protocol was to be extended to her to
avoid a possible faux pas.

Sarkozy is scheduled to be in India on Friday and Saturday as the
chief guest of this year's Republic Day parade on January 26.

Earlier, during the day, a French daily "Liberation" reported that
Carla would not be accompanying the President to India this week
because they "are not married".

The former supermodel was quoted as saying by the newspaper that as
she was "not yet married so she cannot go on an official visit with
the President".

The other "reason" mentioned by Carla for not accompanying Sarkozy was
that she had to shoot her new album in February and was busy with her
preparations for the same.

For the media in India, the announcement that Carla Bruni may not come
to Delhi has been an anti-climax! (ANI)

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MP

Labels: Taj-Mahal